Gifts You Can't Wrap: 8 Experiential Travel Gifts

It might be true that the best things in life are free, but around the holidays, the best gifts are the ones you can’t stuff in a box. The memory of a backcountry ski day, a hike in Montana, or the sun going down over one of America's greatest national treasures will last a lot longer than a pair of slippers.

Relax in the Beauty Of The Outdoors at The Ranch at Rock Creek

There’s no place quite like the open range, and at The Ranch at Rock Creek, a luxury resort situated in the Montana mountains, 30 miles from the nearest town (population 900), you can experience the great outdoors in luxury. Stay in a converted historic barn, relax in the spa, then step out into the most beautiful place you’ll ever have the privilege of calling your “backyard.”

All photography by Jeffery Thrope

Rent A Firetower

If your idea of the great outdoors is a bit more rustic, gift the gift of a firetower. Some of our greatest writers - Jack Kerouac, Edward Abbey, Gary Snyder - all spent time as fire lookouts, isolated from the rest of the world in a small cabin way above the trees. The Forest Service lookouts can now be rented for the night, so put on your boots and spend a night in complete solitude while you cook rice and beans (or steaks if you prefer to be fancy) on the propane stove. Just go to recreation.gov and find one that best fits your location and timeline.

Backcountry Ski Helicopter

It isn’t easy, but with enough finesse you can wrap a pair of skis or a snowboard and place them under the tree this year. Goggles, coats, gloves, and boots? Those can be done too. What you can’t wrap is a trip in a helicopter out to the backcountry for an epic day of fresh powder and no waiting in lift lines. Make a reservation for one of Helitrax’s many packages near Telluride and have one of the best ski days of your life.

Grand Canyon Sunset

There are few more beautiful places in the world than the Grand Canyon. And when the sun is setting (or rising, of course) above the Colorado River, illuminating the reds, browns and yellows of those prehistoric walls, you’ll never look at “golden hour” the same. Sure, you can wrap up the plane tickets and a camera, but you can’t wrap up the views from Hopi, Yaki, or Lipan Point. And no matter how well you figure out that camera, you won’t be able to capture that beauty on film.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over The Arizona Desert

There’s a reason why hot air balloon rides are so popular. Though it may sound cheesy, seeing a place from a different perspective is a powerful experience. Imagine seeing your town, a mountain range, or the Arizona desert from a few thousand feet above with a bottle of wine in tow. You could wrap up a big balloon, sure, but wouldn’t you rather just make a reservation? Go to Phoenix’s Hot Air Expeditions website to set up all the details and customize your experience.

Get Out On The Water

It’s debatable whether or not you can wrap a canoe, but as long as we’re talking about Mother Nature, let’s think about saving her trees. Old Town Canoes, who have been making canoes in the United States since the turn of the 20th century, will make a perfect gift this year. Canoeing is a great way to spend the weekend while exercising and enjoying the outdoors. And if you’re not convinced, remember this: You can pack a lot more food, alcohol and gear in a canoe than you can in a backpack.

Surf Central America

Sometimes the best answer to holiday gifts is sun, beach, and surf. (Come to think of it, this might be the answer to most of life’s questions.) Grab your wax and try heading to Central America this year for a week of wet suits and simple living. Places like Safari Surf School in Tamarindo, Costa Rica and Popoyo Surf Lodge in Popoyo, Nicaragua have some of the best surf spots and places to stay in the Western Hemisphere. And if you don’t surf, well, I’m sure you’ll be able to find something to do on a warm tropical beach for a week.

Give Back and Save Our Wild Places

This year was the 50th Anniversary of the famous Wilderness Act of 1964, which established the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) and set aside an initial 9.1 million acres of wildlands for the use and benefit of the American people. Since then, Congress has added over 100 million acres to this unique land preservation system and we all want to see it keep growing. Take action this holiday season and give the gift of support by donating money to The Wilderness Society or a local organization that protects wilderness near your home. After all, John Muir once said, “Wilderness is a necessity...There must be places for human beings to satisfy their souls.” And as much as we wall want to enjoy a remote trail and an evening of backcountry camping, you certainly can’t wrap up a satisfied soul.